The legendary Route 66, “America’s Mother Road,” will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, marking a century of connecting travelers, cultures, and communities across eight states and 2,400 miles.
By Gemma Long – CEO Gem PR & Media, Inc.
This milestone isn’t just a historical moment; it’s a golden opportunity for travel professionals to engage with travelers seeking authentic, nostalgic, and distinctly American experiences.
For more great stories about Route 66, check out our Route 66 Tour Planner
To prepare for the centennial, Congress established the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission. The 15-member Commission, appointed by the President and representing federal, state, and local leadership, is dedicated to shaping a year-long national celebration that honors the past while fueling future tourism and economic development along the route.
Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership
Guided by its core principles, Celebrate & Honor, Preserve, Protect& Enhance, Generate Tourism Demand, National Collaboration, and Research & Education, the Commission’s work is designed to benefit both travelers and the travel trade. From historic preservation to tourism investment, the Route 66 Centennial will create new itineraries, marketing initiatives, and cultural events designed to attract domestic and international visitors.
Complementing this effort is the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, a national non-profit formed in 2015 with support from the National Park Service and the World Monuments Fund. The Partnership’s mission is to “revitalize and sustain Route 66 as a national and international icon through promotion, preservation, research, education, and economic development.”
The Road Ahead team coordinates Centennial-era projects, including the creation of travel resources, grant programs, and promotional partnerships ideal for tour operators, travel agencies, and destination-marketing organizations.
Launching a new era of vitality for Route 66
As Bill Thomas, Chair of the Road Ahead Partnership and Commissioner of the Centennial Commission, says: “As we approach the 2026 Centennial of Route 66, we recognize the road’s living legacy; it belongs to the people who live alongside it, the travelers who explore it, and the communities that work and thrive on it. This celebration is our chance to honor them and launch a new era of vitality for the route.”
Those interested in celebrating the heritage and adventure of America’s iconic highway can participate in the Route 66 Centennial by accessing the resources and information available on the Route 66 Centennial Website at: route66centennial.org. In addition to the Centennial Events Calendar and information about all of the Official Route 66 Centennial Activities/Projects found on the website, visitors can join the Route 66 Centennial Birthday Party Club. The club offers three tiers: Free, $66 annual, and $166 annual, each unlocking unique benefits as you embark on your centennial journey down America’s Main Street.
Birthday Party Club members receive the monthly Route 66 Centennial Newsletter, digital wallpapers and social-media backdrops, and the option to be listed on the Member Wall. At the $66 level, participants receive a 10% merchandise discount and a special-edition t-shirt and window decal. The $166 tier elevates the experience with a 20% merchandise discount, an enamel collector’s pin, and a window decal and bumper sticker.
Whether you’re a seasoned road-tripper or a travel-industry professional crafting unforgettable itineraries, this club offers a way to connect with the storied legacy of Route 66 and bring that story to life for your clients.
For more information, visit: route66centennial.org.
For travel professionals, this is the moment to rediscover the magic of the open road. The Route 66 Centennial invites the global travel community to craft new journeys that showcase the music, food, people, and stories that make Route 66 unforgettable and to help travelers experience the freedom, nostalgia, and adventure that have defined this highway for 100 years.
For more great stories about Route 66, check out our Route 66 Tour Planner
